The Shop-keeper, from "The Dance of Death"

The Shop-keeper, from "The Dance of Death" is a profound woodcut print created by Hans Holbein the Younger between 1521 and 1538. This specific work belongs to Holbein’s iconic series, a highly influential revival of the Danse Macabre allegory. Executed with remarkable technical mastery, the detailed precision achieved in this small-scale work is characteristic of the Younger’s design genius. The medium required meticulous carving, often performed by master block-cutters like Hans Lützelburger, allowing for sharp lines and dramatic contrast suitable for the moralizing narrative structure of the prints.

As part of a larger meditation on universal mortality, this piece critiques societal vices by showing Death interrupting figures from all levels of the social hierarchy. The Shop-keeper, shown perhaps distracted by the accumulation of wealth or merchandise on his counter, is suddenly confronted by the skeletal figure, illustrating that worldly possessions offer no defense against fate. Holbein's depictions were widely circulated during the early Reformation era, resonating strongly with a public grappling with theological shifts and changing social structures, emphasizing the vanity of earthly life.

Today, this impression of The Shop-keeper resides in the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The lasting popularity and historical importance of Holbein's design ensured its widespread reproduction. Many of these highly desirable Renaissance prints, including those from the complete "Dance of Death" cycle, are recognized as public domain artwork, ensuring broad access for scholarship and enjoyment of the Younger's foundational contribution to the history of graphic art.